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H 1821

An Act relative to jury duty parking fees

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Kushmerek

Massachusetts bill would waive or reimburse parking fees for jurors serving on jury duty to reduce financial barriers to civic participation and improve jury pool diversity.

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1821

Legislative bill overview

H. 1821 would require the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to waive or reimburse parking fees for citizens serving on jury duty. The bill addresses the financial burden that jurors incur when fulfilling their civic obligation to appear in court, which can create a barrier to jury service participation.

Why is this important

Jury duty is a foundational civic responsibility, but the financial costs—including parking fees—can disproportionately discourage participation from lower-income individuals who cannot absorb these expenses. Removing this barrier could improve jury pool diversity and demographic representation while ensuring broader civic participation across income levels.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to the state: Implementing statewide parking fee waivers or reimbursement programs would require funding, raising questions about budgetary priorities and whether the Commonwealth can afford this without reducing other court services or programs
  • Implementation complexity: Determining which parking facilities are covered, how reimbursement claims are processed, and whether this applies to all court locations versus major ones presents administrative challenges
  • Scope and fairness: Questions exist about whether parking is the only juror hardship that should be addressed (childcare, lost wages, transportation) and whether partial solutions create inequitable outcomes across different jurors

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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